Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 332

ARIELLA

Children didn’t always understand everything, but they felt everything.

“Okay,” Leon said finally. “But when I go to school, I want to tell them I trained at home like a secret agent.”

That made Asher smile.

“I think that can be arranged.”

Leon grinned proudly, clearly satisfied with that explanation, and went back to eating his breakfast. The moment passed quickly, and silence settled over the table again, lighter than before, but still fragile.

I could feel Asher’s gaze on me. When I looked up, he was already watching me, studying my reaction to the conversation. There was a silent question in his eyes.

Are you okay with this? It said.

I gave him a small nod. We didn’t have a choice and I was secretly happy it turned out this way.... I didn't want him to go to the famiglia school. I didn't want him out of my sight, but I knew it was going to happen.

Leon was busy explaining to us how he needed to get strong if he was going to be an agent, how he would be efficient and strong, and how he would start taking care of what hehad trained for.

Asher soon looked at his watch, stood up, adjusting his jacket, then leaned down to press a kiss to Leon’s forehead.

“I’ll see you later, little guy.”

“Okay, don’t forget tomorrow we’re going running, Daddy,” Leon reminded him quickly.

“I won’t,” Asher said, smiling at him before his eyes slowly moved toward me.

For a second, it looked like he wanted to say something, but the words didn’t come out.

Mine didn’t either. So instead, I said, “I’ll walk out with you.”

Leon didn’t question us. He was already distracted by his food. Asher gave a small nod, and together we walked out of the dining room into the hallway.

The moment we were alone, I wanted to tell him not to go. I wanted to tell him he didn’t have to do this.

But I knew I couldn’t.

So I ended up biting my lip instead.

By the time we reached the front door and stepped outside, two guards were already waiting, along with two black cars lined perfectly along the driveway. The moment I saw them, the way they surrounded the cars, their hands resting on their guns, everything suddenly felt more serious. More real.

I stopped walking. “Be careful,” I whispered, turning toward him.

“Always,” he said, pulling me against his chest, my head resting over his heart as he kissed my forehead. “I always am. I’m going to come back. Stop worrying.”

“I’m not,” I said softly. “I know you’re going to come back. You know exactly who’s waiting for you, and you know exactly how important you are to me. And because of that… I know you’ll take care of yourself and come back.”

He kissed me then, soft, quick, but powerful enough to steal the air from my lungs. Then he let go.

He turned and walked toward the cars. The men quickly moved into position, sliding into their seats. Seconds later, the cars started rolling toward the gate.

I just stood there, hugging myself, trying not to run after him.

The kitchen was calm, too calm. The clinking of utensils, the soft hum of the blender, the faint scent of toasted bread… everything felt ordinary. And yet nothing inside me was. Because somewhere outside these walls, Asher was walking into something dangerous.

I lowered my eyes to the plate and tried to eat another bite. My hand trembled slightly, so I set the fork down before anyone noticed.

You knew this life when you chose him. The thought came uninvited...... I was born in this life. This shouldn't be an issue for me.

But knowing something… and living it… were two completely different things.

Leon’s laughter echoed faintly. The sound made my chest tighten again, this time differently. Warmer.Stronger. That’s why he always comes back.

Because of him.

Because of us.

I picked up the glass again and finished the smoothie in one long swallow, as if determination could be forced into existence the same way.

Margaret turned immediately.

“Good,” she said with gentle approval. “That will help.”

“Thank you,” I replied, meaning it more than she probably realised.

I stayed seated for a few seconds longer, gathering myself. The house felt larger when Asher wasn’t in it. Quieter. Like something essential had stepped out and taken the air with it. But I refused to let that feeling take control.

Not today. Not when Leon was expecting a normal morning.